ARCHIVED - Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2010-857

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Route reference: 2010-334

Ottawa, 19 November 2010

Radio Diffusion Sorel-Tracy inc.
Sorel-Tracy, Quebec

Application 2010-0274-0, received 5 February 2010

CJSO-FM Sorel-Tracy – Licence renewal

The Commission renews the broadcasting licence for the French-language commercial radio station CJSO-FM Sorel-Tracy from 1 December 2010 to 31 August 2014. This short-term licence renewal will enable the Commission to review, at an earlier date, the licensee’s compliance with the Radio Regulations, 1986 and with its conditions of licence.

Introduction

1.      The Commission received an application by Radio Diffusion Sorel-Tracy inc. to renew the broadcasting licence for the French-language commercial radio programming undertaking CJSO-FM Sorel-Tracy, which expires 30 November 2010.[1]

2.      In Broadcasting Notice of Consultation 2010-334, the Commission indicated that the licensee may have failed to comply with the requirements set out in Radio Regulations, 1986 (the Regulations) relating to the broadcast of French-language vocal music.

3.      As part of this process, the Commission received and considered an intervention from the Association québécoise de l’industrie du disque, du spectacle et de la vidéo (ADISQ). The comment can be found on the Commission’s website at www.crtc.gc.ca under “Public Proceedings.”

Commission’s analysis and determinations

4.      After examining the application in light of the applicable regulations and policies, and taking into account the intervention received, the Commission considers that the issue to be addressed in its determinations relates to the broadcast of French-language vocal music.

5.      As set out in section 2.2(5) of the Regulations, licensees authorized to operate French-language commercial radio stations must devote 65% or more of the musical selections they broadcast each broadcast week to vocal musical selections in the French language. The Commission notes that during the week of 2 to 8 March 2008, CJSO-FM devoted 59.4% of the week’s musical selections to vocal musical selections in the French language. The Commission concludes that the licensee failed to reach the minimum requirements regarding the broadcast of French-language vocal music over the current licence term. 

6.      In a letter to the Commission dated 31 March 2008, the licensee confirmed that it had taken measures to comply in the future with the requirements regarding the broadcast of French-language vocal music. The Commission is aware of these measures and considers them to be sufficient.

7.      While recognizing in its comment that the licensee had committed a violation, ADISQ was relieved that the licensee appeared to have taken measures to comply in the future with French-language content requirements in the future. ADISQ expects the Commission to take necessary steps to ensure that the station complies with its obligations regarding the broadcast of vocal musical selections in the French language. ADISQ recommended that the licensee be granted a short-term licence renewal, which would enable the Commission to monitor the station’s performance more carefully and ensure that its compliance issues have been permanently resolved.

Conclusion

8.      In light of the above, and in accordance with its practice regarding radio non-compliance set out in Circular No. 444, the Commission considers that a short-term renewal period for CJSO-FM is appropriate. Accordingly, the Commission renews the broadcasting licence for the French-language commercial radio programming undertaking CJSO-FM Sorel-Tracy from 1 December 2010 to 31 August 2014. This short-term licence renewal will enable the Commission to review, at an earlier date, the licensee’s compliance with the Regulations and its conditions of licence. The licence will be subject to the conditions set out in Broadcasting Regulatory Policy 2009-62.

Employment equity

9.      In accordance with Public Notice 1992-59, the Commission encourages the licensee to consider employment equity issues in its hiring practices and in all other aspects of its management of human resources.

Secretary General

Related documents

* This decision is to be appended to the licence.

Footnote

[1]This broadcasting licence was administratively renewed from 1 September 2010 to 30 November 2010 in Broadcasting Decision 2010-635.

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